DBasia.news – Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic feels Barcelona have “snatched the ball from him” after being marginalized at Camp Nou this season. Nine of Ivan Rakitic’s 10 appearances for Barcelona this season have been substitutes, but he feels he is still able to contribute more to the club.
Rakitic, 31, has only started as a starter this season after five previous seasons as a regular player. Valverde immediately relied on the new signing, Frenkie de Jong, in the middle with Sergio Busquets and Arthur Melo.
The former Basel, Schalke and Sevilla player openly admits he is no longer enjoying his playing time at Barcelona right now. Rakitic is not afraid to vent his feelings, even though that has the potential to be a rebuke from the club.
“How can I enjoy myself? Playing soccer. Playing soccer. How does my daughter feel when I snatch a toy from her? She’s sad. I feel the same: they take the ball from me and I’m sad,” Rakitic said in Universo Valdano.
“I like it (expressing feelings). When you have to cry, no problem, and when you have to celebrate, I’m the first.”
Giving a message to Valverde, Rakitic hopes to be played regularly like the previous seasons to be able to enjoy playing football again.
“I am 31 years old, not 38 years old, and I feel at my best,” continued Rakitic.
“I understand and appreciate the decisions made by the coach (Ernesto Valverde) and the club, but I think I have given a lot in five and a few years here, and the only thing I want is to continue to enjoy myself. That is the most important thing for me,” he explained.
Rakitic’s words indirectly indicated his departure from Camp Nou. He continues to be monitored by several European clubs such as Manchester United, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus.
Rakitic’s way of expressing himself is like the former Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, who then left the club in 2018 and was permanent at Everton in 2018 after two years of defending Barcelona.